Black motherhood is on display now more than ever! Thanks to social media, Zoom, and history-making events (the election of stepmom and Vice President Kamala Harris, for one!), we can keep up with those who inspire us simply by logging on to our devices. These women, in no particular order, are some of the most empowering Black moms who lead by example and show us that we can go after what we want — and get it!
Rosalind Brewer
As of March, Rosalind Brewer will be the next CEO of Walgreens. Previously, the Detroit-born mom was the first woman and first African-American to serve as the COO of Starbucks. Among those firsts, she was the first Black woman on Amazon’s board of directors and has held other C-suite positions, such as CEO of Sam’s Club, all while being a wife and mom of two.
Jodie Patterson
Jodie Patterson is a mom of five, and that alone makes her inspiring. She’s also the author of The Bold World, a memoir about the changes in her family’s identity inspired by her 8-year-old transgender son. This activist writes and shares how civil rights affect race, gender, and spills into our world today.
Charaia Callabrass
Charaia is a wife and mom of two whose words will inspire no matter what mood you’re in — from happy to lost to needing some uplift. Charaia has created a safe space in her community for moms, the podcast Unbow Your Head, to experience all of our varied emotions.
Yvonne Brathwaite Burke
Yvonne Brathwaite Burke is a politician and attorney from California who was the first woman in U.S. Congress to give birth while in office and to be granted maternity leave by the Speaker of the House. Burke served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Burke’s daughter, Autumn, is also a politician.
Bozoma Saint John
Bozoma Saint John is the poster mother for living life in your full glory and her badass-ness! Mommy to daughter Lael, she shows up as herself no matter her title, whether it’s in her current role as global chief marketing officer at Netflix or previously roles at Uber, Apple, and Endeavor.
Ashley Marshall
Motherhood doesn’t always look like Pinterest-ready meals, perfect craft times, and play rooms, and this mom shares real-life moments to prove that. Ashley, the mom of three behind Mommy Week, is a self-professed unschooling veteran, modest style fashionista, and activist for epilepsy awareness.
Neferteri Plessy
Single motherhood is not for the faint of heart. Mom of two Neferteri Plessy has made it her mission to help those who find themselves parenting alone, co-parenting, or even parallel parenting become fearless and embrace their true selves as single moms. Her work stems from seeing the transformations that moms can go through when life throws them curveballs.
Allyson Felix
Allyson Felix is inspiring as one of the most decorated track and field athletes in history. (She has nine Olympic medals!) Even more incredible, she stood up for herself when Nike, her sponsor, requested she take a pay cut after giving birth in 2018. Nike decided to change its policy with future athletes, and Felix became a voice for mothers everywhere — especially in sports.
Tarana Burke
Tarana Burke (pictured right) is an activist and the founder of the #MeToo movement against sexual abuse and harassment, which started in 2017 when the hashtag went viral. Since then, Burke has become an award-winning champion for social justice, a spokesperson for gender equity, and Time’s Person of the Year. Burke is also mom to activist Kaia Naadira (pictured left).
Keisha Bottoms
Mayor Keisha Bottoms is the 60th mayor of Atlanta, elected in 2017. After suffering from years of infertility, Bottoms and her husband decided to adopt, and she became a mother of four. Each year, Bottoms brings attention to the need for adoption around the city, thanks to her experience.
